Success in Athletics and how to obtain it

HURDLING position shown in sketch 3 and fig. 39. The drawing up of this back leg requires great strength in the muscles of the leg itself, and also in those of the arms and the trunk of the body ; but the art must be mastered, as, in conjunction with the keeping of the shoulders perfectly straight with the front, it is the only way in which the athlete is enabled to get his back leg into the right position for the 2 3 next stride· forward after the left foot has come to ground (sketch 4). Great care must be taken that throughout the race the heel is never allowed to touch the ground on landing, all the running being upon the ball of the foot. In the final sprint for the tape the athlete must get well up on the toes, and go " all out" with head well thrust forward and, the arms working strongly. Never throw up the arms as the tape is breasted, for this most foolish style of finishing materially retards the running. 9